Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Starring: Aishwarya Rai, Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachcan
‘A Spectacular Sequel’
Few actresses in India have created movies which satisfy audiences like Aishwarya Rai. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Rai has become a beloved actress that has made memorable movies. Whether it’s bold historic figures, doomed lovers or rebellious daughters, Rai has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Rai’s best strength as an actress has often been her bravery. She is one of those rare actresses which hasn’t been afraid of taking risks in her career by taking on controversial characters. Through her ability to create strong female heroines audiences can relate to, Rai has become a great actress whose work audiences value. Throughout her impressive career, Rai has made several unforgettable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Rai and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “Dhoom 2” certainly stands out as being her most entertaining movie. Released in 2006, Sanjay Gadhvi’s movie offered a compelling sequel to an iconic blockbuster. Packed with breathtaking action, engrossing storytelling and amazing acting, it’s a strong Bollywood sequel. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Aishwarya Rai, capturing a bold female spy. Although “Dhoom 2” is a spectacular sequel, it isn’t a flawless film. It is unevenly paced, lacking momentum of its superior predecessor. Nevertheless, it offers spellbinding entertainment which will satisfy fans of Aishwarya Rai.
“Dhoom 2” continues the adventure of cops seeking to catch thieves that possess value. Abhishek Bachchan reprises his role as Jai Dixit, a dedicated cop that’s driven to solve crimes in his tense nation. Assisted by long-time friend Ali (Uday Chopra), Jai strives to solve intense crimes occurring in India. This time around, the pair of cops strive to track down two big thieves. Mr. A (Hrithik Roshan) and Sunehri (Aishwarya Rai) are two clever thieves that get away with committing crime without facing a price to pay. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Jai wonders whether it’s truly possible to resolve crimes in a town facing disaster.
Sanjay Gadhvi is fascinated with the stories of cops facing tragedy. An incredible Indian filmmaker, Gadhvi has often made engaging Bollywood movies about cops in danger. His iconic film “Dhoom” introduced the beloved franchise about bike riders on a big-screen. With “Dhoom 2”, however, Gadhvi directed his first ever sequel. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to create a sequel to a beloved Bollywood action movie but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Gadhvi captures cops embarking upon a journey to resolve crime in a doomed city. Inspired with Michael Mann’s “Heat”, Gadhvi successfully utilizes handheld camerawork to convey the hardships which cops are facing under heat. For instance, handheld camera elevates the train robbery scene. During this exhilarating scene, Mr. A commits an elaborate robbery of a train causing tension. Handheld camera is a complex technique to use in movies. As Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Devdas” claimed, handheld camerawork enhances Bollywood movies about alcohol addiction. However, it works immensely. Using engrossing visuals, Gadhvi captures the tensions that cops are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Dhoom 2” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive sequels you will see. One area in which the film improves on its predecessor is the musical sequences. Gadhvi expertly uses strong cross-cutting to stage musical sequences that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the Crazy Kiya Re song. During this memorable song, Sunehri sings a melody expressing her strong views on being a female spy. Using cross-cutting, Gadhvi creates a portrait of spies which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that cops bear. Through bold production, Gadhvi captures cops facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dhoom 2” is a sequel that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses dramatic monologues to capture the tension which cops seeking to hunt down criminals are facing. Throughout the movie, Jai often delivers expressive monologues showcasing his strong view on being a cop. For instance, The monologues elevate the cop discussion scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jai expresses his strong views on the challenge of being a cop in India. Through captivating monologues, Gadhvi creates a portrait of a cop audiences relate to. Monologues are a tricky technique to use in movies. As Aditya Chopra’s “Mohabbatein” claimed, dramatic monologues enhance Bollywood films about college students. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a brilliant screenplay, Gadhvi captures the lives of cops that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aishwarya Rai delivers one of her greatest performances as Sunehri. Rai first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in classic Bollywood movies. With “Dhoom 2”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a fierce female spy facing adversity but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. With engaging expressions, she captures the angst, grief and resentments faced by a feminist spy on missions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actresses that’s working in India today.
While the film is mainly a showcase for Rai, the supporting cast is also amazing and is worthy of praise. Hrithik Roshan is riveting, capturing the determination of a thief that seeks to plan mischievous robberies without catching cop attention. Abhishek Bachchan is fantastic, capturing the heroic nature of a cop seeking to resolve crimes in a town that faces panic. Lastly, Uday Chopra is superb. As Ali, he always brings funny comic relief to these movies.
Despite its superb performances, however, “Dhoom 2” can’t quite celebrate an iconic franchise about bike robbers facing tension. If there’s a shortcoming to the film, it lacks strong pacing. Gadhvi’s choices to integrate subplots about romantic affairs into the film is bold but hinders the pacing. Due towards this faulty technique, scenes which focus on Mr. A’s romantic fling with Sunehri aren’t as engaging as his robberies. Whereas the first film was well paced, the sequel falters in this regard. Therefore, “Dhoom 2” can’t entirely honour a franchise about bike robbers that audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Aishwarya Rai would enjoy “Dhoom 2” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold Bollywood sequel, it honours an actress that is special.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a Bollywood movie about cops embarking on missions to catch thieves causing tension, it’s a strong reminder of a beloved actress that has built a strong reputation through abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies throughout her career which deserve appreciation.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 